mdulaney Posted June 4 Share #1 Posted June 4 This is a build log for the last operating wood passenger steamer in the US, the Virginia V. There has not been a truly accurate model of this ship built that I am aware of. I know of two scratchbuilt models, and oddly one commercially produced (in China) one. Of the two scratchbuilt models, one is significantly better than the other, but still contains anachronisms and inaccuracies. I do have a few advantages over most scratch builders in that I have full run of both the ship as well as the Virginia V Foundation's archives. I am also an oiler on the ship, and if you go into the engine room now and point at a valve I can tell you what it does and when the last time I personally repacked it was. I also took many photos of the framing of the ship while we were hauled out 2021-2022 having much of the hull replanked. The ship's maiden voyage in 1922; this is the appearance I aim to replicate: And, for comparison, the ship today: GrandpaPhil, Paul Le Wol, Keith Black and 9 others 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted June 4 Share #2 Posted June 4 A very nice subject to model. I love old wooden ferries. John mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvesvidal Posted June 4 Share #3 Posted June 4 Great topic. I will be following. Yves mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted June 4 Share #4 Posted June 4 A great choice of subject! Keith Black, Ryland Craze and mtaylor 3 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Salmson 2, Speeljacht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted June 4 Share #5 Posted June 4 With your firsthand experience this should be an excellent model, I look forward to following the journey. mtaylor and Ryland Craze 2 Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBlack Posted June 4 Share #6 Posted June 4 (edited) Reminds me of my model of the Vinal Haven (see log). I’ll certainly be following along. Glad you’re doing the older version. Looks classier Tom Edited June 4 by TBlack Ryland Craze, Keith Black, yvesvidal and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schooner Posted June 4 Share #7 Posted June 4 Great choice! Seeing her brings back some great memories - I lived just outside (saltwater side) the locks and saw her often and, like you, served as an oiler on her for a couple of years in the early 70's (when she was only half a century old). Good luck! yvesvidal, Ryland Craze, mtaylor and 1 other 4 Quote Tim Current build: Continental Navy Frigate ALFRED (build log) Past builds: Steam Tug SEGUIN (build log in the kits 1850-1900 section) Liberty Ship SS Stephen Hopkins (Gallery & Build Log) USS Basilone (DD-824) (Gallery & Build Log) USS Olympia (Gallery) USS Kirk (FF-1087) (Gallery & Build Log) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithAug Posted June 4 Share #8 Posted June 4 I am excited by this one and looking forward to seeing her progress. Are you planning to do much internal detail? Ryland Craze, mtaylor and Keith Black 3 Quote Keith Current Build:- Cangarda (Steam Yacht) - Scale 1:24 Previous Builds:- Schooner Germania (Nova) - Scale 1:36 https://modelshipworld.com/topic/19848-schooner-germania-nova-by-keithaug-scale-136-1908-2011/ Schooner Altair by KeithAug - Scale 1:32 - 1931 http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/12515-schooner-altair-by-keithaug-scale-132-1931/?p=378702 J Class Endeavour by KeithAug - Amati - Scale 1:35 - 1989 after restoration. http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/10752-j-class-endeavour-by-keithaug-amati-scale-135-1989-after-restoration/?p=325029 Other Topics Nautical Adventures http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/13727-nautical-adventures/?p=422846 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdulaney Posted June 6 Author Share #9 Posted June 6 Right now, I'm waiting for all the existing drawings to be professionally scanned. Note that the following drawings were laid out on the floor and photographed with a cell phone, and as such will not be used for anything besides initial planning. This first drawing comes from a set drawn by the builder's son in October 1921. As a primary source, it is obviously valuable, but there are differences between these plans and what was actually constructed. For example, there was only one pair of boats on the boat deck (as can be clearly seen in the maiden voyage photograph). One of the other drawings contains features that, while present aft, did not run the length of the ship. However, I will use these drawings to get dimensions for windows, the wheel house, etc. There are also no known photographs of the starboard side prior to 1934, so this is the only data I have for window configuration on this side. Lines, as drawn 1934 by a professional marine architect. I will be referencing these as well as measurements taken off the ship when I draft my own drawings. The final drawing I'll be posting this evening. This demonstrates the changes made to the ship after the 1934 rebuild. yvesvidal, Roger Pellett, mtaylor and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdulaney Posted June 6 Author Share #10 Posted June 6 On 6/4/2024 at 10:27 AM, KeithAug said: I am excited by this one and looking forward to seeing her progress. Are you planning to do much internal detail? I am! I have a pretty good idea what the engine room looked like, and of course the engine is the same. I think I'll do what would be visible through the windows, though if I could get the engine to move if the prop is rotated, that'd be a superb bonus. Keith Black, KeithAug and mtaylor 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithAug Posted June 6 Share #11 Posted June 6 4 hours ago, mdulaney said: I could get the engine to move if the prop is rotated, that'd be a superb bonus. I like your thinking. mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote Keith Current Build:- Cangarda (Steam Yacht) - Scale 1:24 Previous Builds:- Schooner Germania (Nova) - Scale 1:36 https://modelshipworld.com/topic/19848-schooner-germania-nova-by-keithaug-scale-136-1908-2011/ Schooner Altair by KeithAug - Scale 1:32 - 1931 http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/12515-schooner-altair-by-keithaug-scale-132-1931/?p=378702 J Class Endeavour by KeithAug - Amati - Scale 1:35 - 1989 after restoration. http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/10752-j-class-endeavour-by-keithaug-amati-scale-135-1989-after-restoration/?p=325029 Other Topics Nautical Adventures http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/13727-nautical-adventures/?p=422846 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBlack Posted June 6 Share #12 Posted June 6 Looks like a good set of plans/photos to work from. Good luck! Keith Black and mtaylor 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithAug Posted June 6 Share #13 Posted June 6 I can see that the discrepancies between the drawings and the photo is going to create some interest. I notice that the stern end of the shelter on the lower deck is curved in the second drawing and square on the 1st drawing, it is square on the 1922 photo and curved on the ship today. Lots of opportunity for research. Her lines are quite nice - will the planking be visible or masked by filler? Keith Black and mtaylor 2 Quote Keith Current Build:- Cangarda (Steam Yacht) - Scale 1:24 Previous Builds:- Schooner Germania (Nova) - Scale 1:36 https://modelshipworld.com/topic/19848-schooner-germania-nova-by-keithaug-scale-136-1908-2011/ Schooner Altair by KeithAug - Scale 1:32 - 1931 http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/12515-schooner-altair-by-keithaug-scale-132-1931/?p=378702 J Class Endeavour by KeithAug - Amati - Scale 1:35 - 1989 after restoration. http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/10752-j-class-endeavour-by-keithaug-amati-scale-135-1989-after-restoration/?p=325029 Other Topics Nautical Adventures http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/13727-nautical-adventures/?p=422846 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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